Dessert Wine

Croft Port Late Bottled Vintage Port 2004, D.O.C., Douro, France: Vintages Wine Panel: One of the benefits of LBV is that you can enjoy the blessings of a declared vintage almost right away, without the need to cellar it. Made in a modern style, this opaque ruby-black Port is rich and delicious. Entices the nose and palate with notes of smoke, tar, chocolate, toffee, and intense dark berry fruit. Medium bodied, very smooth and long-finishing, this is ready-to-drink LBV. My note: Is there anything more comforting than port? (I mean aside from human contact.) I think of port as the Diana Krall of wines: sultry, seductive and smooth. This is a warm, rich after-dinner drink with layers of black plums and blackberries. A long, satisfying finish. Port food pairings: fine dark chocolate, walnuts, Stilton cheese. 87601 20% S 750 mL $17.95 Score: 90/100. January 2011. Best Value Dessert Wine Full ReviewAdd to Shopping Cart

Corte Majoli Ripasso Superiore Valpolicella 2007, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Vanio Tezza represents a new generation of Veneto winemakers. While still in his 20s, he took over the family estate 10 years ago after the death of his father. Respecting the traditions required to make Ripasso, he also brings a modern flair to every wine the property produces. Check out the ripe plum, raspberry and cocoa aromas in this medium full-bodied, round, rich and fruity wine. My note: A solid, pleasant and robust wine with notes of black raspberries, mocha and dark spices. A casual quaffer to sip in front of the evening fire. Valpolicella food pairings: braised beef. 84061 14% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. January 2011. Full ReviewAdd to Shopping Cart

Monte Zovo Sa’ Solin Ripasso Valpolicella 2008, D.O.C., Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Year after year, this fabulous Ripasso is a major hit with customers. It’s fruit-forward with layers of cranberry, cherry, herb, peppery spice and meaty notes. Dry with a medium-full body and a lingering finish, it has the structure to match flavourful dishes. Its upfront fruit-forward style also makes it a pleasant sipping wine. My note: Very purple and tasty! Bring on the blueberries, blackberries and purple berries. Full-bodied, juicy and somewhat like zinfandel. Smooth and fun. Valpolicella food pairings: roast leg of lamb, gourmet pizza. 650713 13.5% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 88/100. January 2011. Full ReviewAdd to Shopping Cart

Clos Du Bois Sonoma Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Clos du Bois, located in Geyserville, released its first wines in 1974 and has made continuous strides in quality ever since. This is prototypical Sonoma Cabernet: rich, ripe and powerful, packed with loads of fruit, spice and cedary oak. It’s soft and luscious, with a long finish. Give it a try. The Alexander Valley is known for producing voluptuous wines, and the 2007 Clos du Bois Cabernet certainly lives up to the region’s reputation. This wine is a sense-captivating treat. Teeming with blackberry, black cherry, currants, smoke and chocolate, with supple tannins and great structure, it shows all of the gallmarks that have brought the Alexander Valley to the world’s attention. My note: A wine is lovely and rare distinction. Smoky, mocha notes intermingle with blackberries and blueberries. Deep and complex. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: grilled beef, dark chocolate. 54080 14.5% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 91/100. January 2011. Full ReviewAdd to Shopping Cart

Finca Sophenia Reserve Malbec 2009, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: Finca Sophenia’s Reserve Malbec has earned high praise over the last several years from members of the wine press. With Michel Rolland as consultant winemaker here, more accolades are sure to follow with the latest vintage. Cultivated in the foothills of the Andes and aged in French oak for 8 months, this complex, deeply concentrated wine exhibits aromas of plums, cherries and violets along with notes of mint and dried fruits. Especially good with carnivorous feasts. My note: A savory, meaty, mouth-watering red with full-bodied notes of black cherry, blackberry, cassis and smoke. Supple and smooth. Malbec food pairings: meats. 66837 13.5% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 89/100. January 2011. Full ReviewAdd to Shopping Cart

Kilikanoon Wines The Lackey Shiraz 2007, South Australia, Australia: A real bunny-slipper wine: snuggly comfort for casual book club gatherings or après ski. This Shiraz was aged for 15 months in American oak and not filtered or fined, which leaves lots of robust stuffing and flavor in the bottle. Aromas of black pepper, raspberry liqueur, spice and cherry-scented leather. An unctuous texture with a long, warm finish. Pair it with good friends and boisterous conversation. 5199 14% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 90/100. January 2011. Full ReviewAdd to Shopping Cart

Emiliana Natura Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Central Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: Emiliana is the largest organic grower in Chile with more than 1700 acres of vineyards certified organic and biodynamic. Made from organic grapes and contains only 18 mg/L of sulphur. Fresh herbs, cassis and brooding smoke aromas lead to a dry, medium-full body with cassis, tar and herbal flavors supported by chalky tannins and leading to a medium-long finish. My note: A plush wine with dark fruit notes and a smoky finish. 61069 14% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 88/100. January 2011. Full ReviewAdd to Shopping Cart

Château De Gaudou Tradition Malbec 2008, A.C., Cahors, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine is mostly Malbec, with splashes of Tannat and Merlot. Ripe and rich, it exudes delicious notes of blueberry, black-berry, chocolate and raisin. Dry and medium-full bodied, with ample acidity and powerful tannic structure balancing all that sweet fruit character. Opaque, almost black in color. This wine is filled with sour cherry, anise, cocoa powder, raspberry and cinnamon. This one will reward serious cellar time. Give it four years and then keep looking at it for another six after that. My note: This wine is a blend of 15% Merlot, 80% Malbec and 5% Tannat. Lip-smacking delicious with aromas of black cherry, fig, red currant, coffee and cigar box. Terrific acidity for food. It’s full-bodied but not heavy. Malbec food pairings: pizza, steak-and-cheese sandwiches. 104935 13% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 88/100. January 2011. Full ReviewAdd to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Henry of Pelham Winery Reserve Off-Dry Riesling 2008, V.Q.A., Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine won a Silver Medal at the 2010 Ottawa Wine Challenge. The grapes for this rich and vibrant Riesling are left on the vine well into October, allowing them to reach the desired ripeness. The result is an interplay of lush citrus and floral accents with a hint of sweetness balanced by a brilliant seam of acidity. An amazing value that will age well for 5-7 years. My note: Divine wine with terrific ripe pach and pear notes. This will go down a storm with Asian and spices. Balanced with fresh peach and pear notes. Lovely! Riesling food pairings: Asian, spices. 557165 11.5% MD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. January 2011. Full ReviewAdd to Shopping Cart

Ironstone Obsession Symphony 2009, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Symphony is not a brand name Ironstone gave this wine; it is actually the name of the grape. Developed at the University of California at Davis, Symphony is an aromatic variety that is a cross between Grenache Gris and Muscat of Alexandria. It creates wines that are aromatically complex and very pleasurable, such as this fine example. My note: Lovely, aromatic with rose petal and lychee. Terrific acidity with gorgeous floral notes: white daisies in a wide open field. I recommend this year after year. The ultimate wine with rose petals and lychee. Symphony food pairings: spicy Asian dishes. 73700 13.5% MD 375 mL $9.95 Score: 89/100. January 2011. Full ReviewAdd to Shopping Cart

Rapaura Springs Red Gate Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: One of the great things about New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is that is it just so immediately identifiable – one sniff and you’re in Marlborough country. Luscious notes of gooseberry, tropical fruit, nettles, grasses and that distinct vegetal quality of asparagus. Dry, with an intensely zippy acidity. This is a great value. My note: A vibrant zippy white with textbook Sauvignon Blanc flavors and grassy goodness. Refreshment in a glass. Citrus-infused finish. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: grilled or seared scallops. 142919 13% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 85/100. January 2011. Full ReviewAdd to Shopping Cart

Beauvignac Picpoul De Pinet 2009, Midi, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Does the onset of summer make you daydream of refreshing white wines? If you are a fan of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris and have been wanting to expand your wine-tasting repertoire, Picpoul de Pinet may be the answer. This crisp, fresh, light-bodied wine features fresh citrus and apple flavors, and its racy acidity makes it truly ‘magnifique’ for sipping on the patio. My note: A joyously happy wine; bright sunshine on a summer’s day. Redolent of daisies, melon, tangerine zest and lime. Perfect aperitif or as an accompaniment to many dishes. 350124 12.5% D 750 mL $11.95 Score: 89/100. January 2011. Full ReviewAdd to Shopping Cart